CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The undefeated Queens University of Charlotte women's tennis team has gained national attention and is ranked No. 40 in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association's latest polls. This is the first time the Royals have cracked the ITA top 50 during head coach Brett Karpman's two-year regime.

Finishing 4-14 in the 2008-09 campaign, the Royals have gained steam as this season has progressed – winning 97 of their 106 matches. Queens' move into the national rankings comes on the cusp of defeating No. 42 Erskine College and No. 46 Lees-Mc-Rae College in recent weeks.

Karpman credits the team's work ethic for their season-long success.

"The girls have worked extremely hard since arriving in August. I am proud of their efforts in the gym and on the courts"

The Royals possess a 7-0 (12-0 overall) Conference Carolinas record with head-to-head victories over the second and third place teams in the conference. With just a few matches remaining, the Royals control their destiny as they seek their first regular season conference championship since earning a share with Pfeiffer University in 1998.

Looking forward, Queens is on pace to earn a top seed in the conference tournament when they travel to Erskine in Sumter, South Carolina on April 16th.